We cut our time in Pennsylvania short so we could head south to help Bonnie and Troy replace the deck on the back of their house. That would use up the rest of our time off before heading back to Pocahontas for the next Park Host stint at the beginning of October. Heading out in the rain, we made our way through Virginia for a brief stay at Pocahontas before continuing the final hour south to Jarratt. Seventy miles and one flat tire later, we were set up in their driveway ready to begin work.

Taking down the old deck

All Hands on Deck​

More than twelve years ago we had built Bonnie and Troy’s rear deck in just 2 days. The intervening decade had not been kind. The deck was sagging and it needed to be replaced. The original construction was a marathon that none of us were anxious to repeat. So, when our daughter called to schedule some time to demolish and replace the deck, we were perfectly fine with taking more time. Plenty more time.

Dave with the support posts in place

We spent the morning of our first day finishing the demolition of the old deck. With the space cleared, the work began to mark the location of the new deck and the support pilings. With help of some heavy equipment, nine holes were dug, filled with cement blocks and concrete. The soggy ground was made muddier overnight by more rain, but we continued to build up the structure, cutting 3 heavy 6x 6 posts out of each 10ft board. Once the posts were placed in each hole, then plumbed and lined up, we filled the holes with gravel to set them in place.

The next step was to assemble 2 – 2” x 10” x 12’ boards into a support beam, one for each set of 3 posts. Carrying just one of these boards was an effort for 2 of us. Carrying the assembled pair required three. By day’s end, these beams were in place, and we had begun construction of the frame that would support the deck boards. This deck was not going to sag.

Bonnie and Adam check out the joists

The next morning, we dug 3 more holes for the posts that would line the outer edge and placed some taller 6 x 6 posts in them that would eventually support the hand rail. With the frame built, the joists were placed and hung on the frame. (Luckily Adam was there to help place the bigger posts.) The design of the decking was going to include a “picture frame” effect of 3 boards around the perimeter, so extra cross-pieces were needed in the outermost joist cavities. With these in place, the picture frame could be cut to fit around each post. The deck boards were then cut to fit inside it. Although we were making a lot of progress, it became clear that another day would make a difference, so we contacted the park to delay our arrival until October 2nd.

Picture frame around edge of deck

Our final day, we helped cut the final deck boards, cut another 2 x 10 for each side of the frame and then began fashioning the stringers for the steps (8ft wide). More digging was needed for the outer posts on the steps and then the stringers could be hung and leveled. That was as far as we could take it, but we are anxious to see the pictures of the finished project. ​

Deck nearing completion

Grandma Cathy and grandkids

Food and FamilyWe enjoyed our time with Bonnie’s family, getting to spend time with Troy and Taylor. One night we were joined by Serenity and Alexis as well, when Christina met us in Emporia. The 4 kids had fun at the big blue chair outside IHOP and wanted to explore the race cars in the parking lot as well. ​

Serenity Troy and Taylor around the race car

Savoia Rum Cake

Our big surprise for Bonnie, Troy and Adam was a well-traveled Savoia rum cake that we had carried back from Rochester. It might have disappeared in one sitting, if we hadn’t made the decision to save some for Adam’s arrival on Saturday. As he headed back to Richmond, he took one piece with him for Droz and some Byrne dairy chocolate milk. All good stuff that’s hard to come by down here in the south.